Metabolism of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene by Rat Hepatic Microsomes and Cecal Flora

Abstract

Dinitrotoluene (DNT) is an industrial chemical used as an intermediate in the production of toluene diisocyanate for the manufacture of polyurethane foams, coatings and elastomers. Technical grade DNT is a potent hepatocarcinogen which produces a dose related incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Fischer 344 rats (CIIT, 1979). The technical grade material comprises approximately 75% 2,4-DNT, 19.5% 2,6-DNT and 4% other DNT isomers with small amounts of mono-and tri-nitrotoluenes and nitrocresols also present. The major component of the technical grade material, 2,4-DNT, has also been demonstrated to be a hepatocarcinogen in CD-1 rats (Ellis et al., 1979).